Informants lead to 'major arrest' in North Adams drug trade

NORTH ADAMS -- Working with anonymous informants, North Adams Police and the Berkshire Drug Task Force say they have dealt a significant blow to a drug-dealing network they believe reaches as far east as Holyoke.

Five North Adams residents are facing drug charges after two simultaneous traffic stops netted more than 250 bags of heroin and cocaine. Police said they worked with five confidential informants over several months leading up to this week's bust.

"This is a major arrest," said North Adams Police Director Michael Cozzaglio.

Kujawa admitted to selling between 1,000 and 1,600 bags of heroin in North Adams every week, according to a probable cause report filed by North Adams Detective Mark Bailey. The report said that Kujawa, throughout the past several weeks before his arrest, sold heroin to confidential informants on a number of occasions.

Kujawa, Lemire, and Moon were pulled over on Route 2 on Wednesday after police followed Kujawa's vehicle to and from a drug pickup, according to the report. They allegedly discovered more than 150 bags of heroin inside the car.

Schneider, another alleged dealer in the city, was spotted driving with Bressette past officers while they were handling Kujawa.

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They had been tipped off she was also in possession of heroin and pulled her over. Officers found more than 100 bags of heroin on her person, according to the report.

According to information receive through the informants, Kujawa allegedly sold heroin stamped "F

You," or "Street Life." Schneider allegedly sold using the stamp "Call of Duty."

Responding to an overdose call on Feb. 20, police discovered 15 bags stamped "Call of Duty" on a woman who was revived by North Adams Ambulance personnel.

Confidential informants have offered police information on a number of drug dealers in North Adams, according to the report.

"Our goal is to really work hard at getting the drug dealers [to combat addiction]," Cozzaglio said. "We know it's quite a wave coming at us, but we've got to keep the pressure on, and we will keep the pressure on."

Kujawa's bail on past drug charges were revoked and he was remanded to Berkshire County Jail & House of Correction. Kujawa was arrested Feb. 1 in Cheshire, allegedly in possession of 198 bags of heroin.

On new charges of possession with intent to distribute a class A drug, class B drug possession, and conspiracy to violate drug law, Kujawa's bail was set $50,000 cash, while Lemire and Schneider were held on $5,000. Bressette and Moon were released on personal recognizance.

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